Protective device.



E. E. F. GREIGHTON.

PROTECTIVE DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED 353.10, 1914.

1,099,968. Patented June 16, 1914;

- F Fig.3.

WITNESSES Jim/BAITS];

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Application filed February 10. 1914. Ecrial No. 611,921

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Emma E. CREIGH- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new andiuseful Improvements in Z irotr ive Derices,1of which the following o. specification.

My invention relates to devices for the protection'of electrical systems of distribution from lightning and other abnormal conditions and more particularly to electrolytic lightning arresters of the well known aluminumcell type. v

The object of my invention is to provide an electrolytic lightning nrrester the aluminum cell type in which the cells are so arranged that the ground ceil can be suitably charged to prevent current flow tln ough the cell in either direction; in which the cells are arranged in roper relation to each other to provide a unigorm and compact structure; and which is in other features, so be hereinafter more iully set forth, an improvement in arresters of this general character.

My invention Wili he more clearly understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drewings, in which- Figure l is a top elevation oi? my ztovel arrester showing the operating switches; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View through the arrester, taken along the line 50-, m of Fig. 1, showing the'novel co. nections and structure of the cell units; an Figs. 3 and 4 show diagrammatically, the embodiment of the novel features of my invention as applied to the protection of direct current cirsuits.

In Fig; 2 the legs or cell units 1, 2, and 3 are shown as of the usual cone or cup shape, suitably nested together and filled with elec tolyte. Tholeg or cell z nit 1 is connected to one side of the line to be protected and the legs or cell units 2 end 3 are arranged to be interchangenble. either cell unit being capable of connection L the other side of the line or to ground. if cell unit 2 is connected to the other side of the iine, then cell unit 3 is a common ground unit'hetwcen cell line 1 and 2 and vice verse. The cell units shown in Fig. 2 mounted upon suitable insulating rods 41- and and supporting this stock of eellsend holding t em rigidly 1Il place, is a rack consisting of the rods 6 and 7 bolted to u buse plate 3. The cell units and supporting structure are suitubly inclosed in a tank 5), to the cover l0? of which, the rods (5 and 'r' are securely fastened, thus suspencing the cell units in the oil with which the tank 9 is tilled.

Suitubiy mounted upon the top or cover 10 of the errester tank are two double throw switches, the reversing switch 10 carrying contact or switch blades 11 and 12 and the transfer switch 13 carrying contact or switch blndes 14% end 15. In Fig. 1 the re versing; switch 10 is shown with its contact or switch blades ii and 12 in engagement with the contacts or terminals 16 and 1?, respectively which are mounted upon the cover 10, the switch being merely rotated to throw the switch blades out of engagement with the contacts 16 and 17 and into engagement vith the cooperating contacts or terminals 18 and 19 respectively, which are also mounted upon the cover 10. T he transfer switch 13 is actuated in the some manner to throw its switch blades 1% and 15 into engagement with contacts or terminals 20- and 21. respectively, as shown in Fig. 1,

or into engagement with corresponding con tacts or terminals 22 and 23'respectively, both sets of contacts or terminalsbeing mounted upon the switch cover 10. The functions and mode of operation of these switches ,will be hereinafter more fully described. hiounted also upon the cover 10 of the tank 9 are two pairs of terminals 24:

-30 is across spark gap 26 to tejrininsi and 25 between which is formed the spark gap 26 and terminals 2. and 28 between which is formed the spark gap 29.

The connections between the switches 10 and 13 and their respective cooperating contacts and the cell units or legs 11,- 2 and 8 are best shown in Fig. 3 which represents, diagramutically, the connections and switches as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, cell unit 1 protecting one side oi the line. unit 2. protecting the otherside of the line a cell unit 3 as the cdnnnon ground unit. GEE!) cont luctor 30 of the line to be protected connected to terminal 24 and the path for the discharge current from conductor by conductor 31 to the ton of cell It; it or leg l, thence through the cell unit. 1 nd through wires 32 and S3 to the switch blade 11 of the reversn'ig switch '10. The dis- Cell 0 charge passes through switch blade 11 to the terminal or contact 18 and thence througlrwire to the bottom of the ground unit or leg 3 and up through the ground unit 3 to a contact or terminal 16" .Eis the contacts or terminals 16 and l!) are connected together, the discharge current will pass from contact 16 to contact 19, thence through the other switch blade 12 of the reversing switch 10, along the wire 35, to contact or terminal 28, across the spark gap 29 to contact or terminal 27 and thence to contact 23. the transfer switch 13 is in the position shown in full lines, the current will pass from contact'23 through the switch blade 15 of the transfer switch 13 and on to ground. A discharge from the other side of ihe line to be protected will pass aloi conductor 36 through the switch blade 14lof' time transfer switch 13 to terminal contact '2, thence along wire to the bJi'hOll'i of line unit or leg 2, up through the cells of unit 2 and thence through wire to the switch blade 11 of reversing switch 10. From the switch blade 11, the discharge current fol lows the same path as the discharge current from the other side of the line namely up through the groin unit 'or leg 3, through switch blade 15 of transfer switch 13 and thence to ground. in this arrange ment the cell unit or l is protecting one side oil the line cell u it or pro tecting the other side the line and cell unit or log 3 is the common ground 'unit between the two cells through which looth units 1 and discharge to ground. For his arrangement of the cell units, as shown in Fig. 3, the switch blades 11 and 12 of reversing switch 10 are in engagement with contacts or terminals 18 and 19 respectively and the switch hlad 1i and 15 of transfer switch 13 are in engagement with contacts 01' terminals 22 and 23 respectively, as indicated in heavy lines.

In. my novel ywotective device i: provide for the complete proter-l'ii'm oi the svsiicm, that the ground unit arranged t he charged in both directions, that the iusu lating film is deposited on both sides of the electrodes of the groui'id unit. it the unit is only chared in one direction, as is the present practice, then as insulating film is produced on only one side of the electrodes and the unit therefore is in danger of taking too much energy from the circuit anti thereby causing disturbances in the operation of the apparatus Furthermore the cells may be damaged by the heavy rush of current needed to reform a thoroughly dissolved film. It is therefore, the function of the reversing switch i" 3 unit or leg 3 first rotating the blades 11 tacts or terminals 16 and 17 respectively, to charge the ground unit in the other direction. To charge the ground unit 3, it is electrically transferred to a line unit by the transfer switch 13, at which time one of the line units, as i'or instance has unit 2 is temporarily transferred. to a ground unit.

This operation is performed by the transfer switch 13 in manner to be more fully ex-' The transfer switch in rotating causesiits switch contacts lt and 15 to break engagemeet with. contacts or terminals and 23 respectively and to come into engagement with contacts or terminals 20 and 21 respectively, The discharge current from conductor 30 now passes the same Way as before, through its protective cell unit 1 but instead of going through cell unit or leg 3, it passes along wire 33 to the top of cell unit 2, through this unit and along wire 37 to contact or terminal 22. As contacts or terminals 22 and 21 are connected, the discharge Cliff will pass from contact 522 to couti i and thence to ground through switch oiade 15 of transfer switch 13. The dischage current from theconductor 36 will pa through the switch blade 14: of transfer switch 13 to contact of terminal 20, thence across the spark gap 29, along; wire to switch blade 12 of reversing switch 1O ,thr0ug;h the switch blade to contact 1%, contact 16 dow '1, down through the cell unit 3 and out aiong wire 5% to Contact 18 through switch blade 11 of the reversing switch 10, along wire 33 to the top of cell unit 2 and to ground in the same manner as the discharge current from the other side of the line. in this manner the transfer switch 123 with its switch blades l4- and if) in engagement with contacts ()i terminals 520 and fill. respectively, changes 'JlGCtl'lCdllV the groui'id unit 3 to a line unit replacing" for purposes of protection the line unit 2 which is now a ground unit.

Y M1 the reversing switch in the position shown in 3 and the transfer switch in the position shown in dotted lines the ground unit 3 is electrically a line unit and is new in a position to he charged. This is done by hridgingithe spark gaps 26 and 29 in any suitable manner causing the line current to pass through conductor 30, through the short circuited spark gap 26, along wire 31 to the top of cell unit 1 down through this unit, charging it, and thence along wires 32 and to switch blade 11 contact 18, through wire 34 and up through the cell unit 3 to contact 19 through switch by Letters Patent of the United Stat" .other side of the line.

the cell unit 3 is again th l ctwccn said line units auo rcssccs lade 12, wire 35, across short circuitcd spark gap 29 to contact 20, ant through switch blade 1% to conductor and the In this man! the passage of line current charges cell unit 1 1n the proper direction and charges cell unit 3 in the upward direction. The neat is to rotate reversing switch 10 \vlnerehy its switch blades 11 and 12 break cngag einenl; with contacts 18 and 19 respectim and come into engagement with contacts 16 and 17 respectively as shown in F l B so doing the line current from (at 20 passes along the same path to t minduct 36 but in passing through the re direction is reversed, this time going down thrhug h the cell u 1i up through it. thus charging uii downward direction. By

switch 10 therefore, the cell no in both directions. Peing in a char he dition it is now in a pc tion in forced hack to a ground ui P for is accomplished hy first rcuionr bridging members from th spark c and 29 and then by rotati the tra switch 13 so that its switch hi and 1-" break engagement with th 21 respectively and come with contacts 22 and 23 the cell unit 2 a line can now he charg spark gap an iii down through c down through cell unit switch blade 1% and the other side of the li e. v

In in novel proicctii'e devised a protective device cell type which ell inntl a ct hoth sides of the line from ah; tions occurring on the line, tects both sides oi: the line '5 a current flow in either div: rious protective cell units of tcctivc device are arranged the same tank so that z and econon'iical arm or 3 rut lily invention may he enihoi. forms than those n dc i therefore, do not desire to limlfil i'scl.

the precise arrangement disclosed d and so far as it is limited by the scope of the appended claims.

What I cluun as new and desire to sew:

I. In a protective device for l cuiis, the combination with a electrolytic cells arranged in unit ing, line units connected to each circuit to be protected, and a arranged to form a common din means for ole *triculiy cha':

unit 3:3 its 2U nun i omen;

unit to a line unit, and means for charging said ground unit in both directions when unit is in line unit position.

in a protective device for electric circuits, the combination with is plurality of elccrroiytic cells arranged in units comprising, 1ine units connected to each side of the circuit to he n'ot-ectcd, and a ground unit arra cd to form a common. discharge path between said line units and ground, of a transfer switch adapted to electrically change said ground unit to line unit, and means for chargin said ground unit in both i: (SHOES when unit is in line unit poi a. protective de-v' :e for electric cir the combination w th a plurality of electrolytic 2' c; arranged: in units comprising, line units connected to each side of the ci cuit to be protected, and a ground unit a anged to form a common discharge path" he Ween said li an i and ground, of means r electrically inti hanging said ground unit and one of said lii e units, and a re 'a r switch for reversing the current 5hr ugh the ground unit when in line on whereby the ground unit is unit charged in both d rections.

a protei IYQ device for electric cirthc c-znnhination with a pluralit of s x tic cells housed in the same tank i d in units comprising line units not-ted to eside of the circuit to he I tJ-ctcd and u'n arranged to win a mnnnon d i I v w units and of spurt: gaps heol said line uni and the line to led and hot-Ween said ground unit i round contacts adapted when'hridgcd said spark aps .d ca iyise sai ground unit to in one direction While in line and other contacts adapted to unit posziion to charge said ground. unit in the opposite direction.

protective device for electric ciriat-ion u"h three elcctro in the discharge path between said line and and meaus uherch" saii 1161! in line unit posit one direction and then in i e device for electric cirnation with three (,lBCiiL'U' units one of said units con- .icofthc line to he protect- 11 said 10c said ground unit 195 while said ground unit is in line ell unit forming a common ground 1% roicoiniecting sinuiltin'ieously Asa charged in both directions.

.cuits the con'ibination with rill" i11 said two units, and means for cans either one of the other two cell units the other side of the line to be protected the remaining cell unit to groun l, and for causing the line current to pass chroug the unit connected to said other Sliz'c 0.1 the circuit first in one direction and theopposite direction whereby sen:

7. In a protective device for elce lytic cell units, one of said units hi nected to each side the circuit tec'ted and the remaii'rw unit common discharge path AZOUKH I for causing line cunen't to pass tht of said line units f then in the opposite dire: unit is ch in lie in it u lino unit charged. A

8. In a protective device'for electric circuits, the combination of a line unit composed of electrolytic cells connected to one side of the circuit to be pi otectcd two interchangeable units composed of ele .olytic cells adapted to be connected to the other side of the circuit to be protected or Lo ground, a switch for electrically intercl'iang- J line current to pass t I interchai 'eoblo unis, .i

and then in the opposite direction whereby said unit is charged in both directions.

9. in a protective device for electric ci cuits, the combination with three electro lytic cell units comprising. 1i e units connected to each side of the circu s to he tectcd and a ground unit "11 inc 0 mon discLe ge path bc reen and ground 1. spa

said line units said ground switch ted rough either one she in one direction sold ground unit with one of cans for bridging said spark gaps When id ground unit 1s interchanged with said line unitu'here oy said ground unit is l by line current in one direction, and adapted to reverse the .1 tloi v throw 1 said ground unit While still in .Line unit position wherel 1: charged in the rewrote the device for electric cirground unit adapted to be inurchanged with said tempo- I I spark gaps between'said pcrn'iaue 2'; line unit and the circuit to be protected and between said ground unit and ground, atrans'ter switch adapted to electrically interchange said ground unit with said temporary line unit whereby said ground unit is placwl in line unit position and. said temporary line un t in ground unit position, said spark gaps being bridged when said ground unit is in line unit positicn'to cause the line'current to pass through said ground uni, in one direction; and a 1eversing switch adapted to reverse the direction of current flow through said ground unit whereby said ground unit, is charged in both directions, said ground unit being returned to normal position by said transfer switch after beingcharged in both directions in css Whoreoi', l have hereunto set;

any hand this 9th day of February, 1914.

' I CREiGHT-ON.

combination with three electrosaid line units, 

